Evaluation of a real-time RT-PCR panel for detection of SARS-CoV-2 in bat guano.
J Vet Diagn Invest
; 33(2): 331-335, 2021 Mar.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1058184
ABSTRACT
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is an ongoing global health concern. The exact source of the virus has not been identified, but it is believed that this novel coronavirus originated in animals; bats in particular have been implicated as the primary reservoir of the virus. SARS-CoV-2 can also be transmitted from humans to other animals, including tigers, cats, and mink. Consequently, infected people who work directly with bats could transfer the virus to a wild North American bat, resulting in a new natural reservoir for the virus, and lead to new outbreaks of human disease. We evaluated a reverse-transcription real-time PCR panel for detection of SARS-CoV-2 in bat guano. We found the panel to be highly specific for SARS-CoV-2, and able to detect the virus in bat guano samples spiked with SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA. Our panel could be utilized by wildlife agencies to test bats in rehabilitation facilities prior to their release to the wild, minimizing the risk of spreading this virus to wild bat populations.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Chiroptera
/
SARS-CoV-2
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Experimental Studies
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Animals
/
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
J Vet Diagn Invest
Journal subject:
Veterinary Medicine
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
1040638721990333
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